Preventing wildfires, following official warnings and evacuating without delay can save lives, says Dimitrios Kafantaris, rapporteur of the European Committee of the Regions’ opinion on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management.
As Europe faces another summer of heightened wildfire risk, Dimitrios Kafantaris (EL/EPP), Municipal Councillor of Pylos–Nestoros, has released a video message calling on citizens to remain vigilant, follow the instructions of local authorities and take practical steps to protect themselves and their communities.
Wildfires can spread rapidly, with changing winds, smoke and flames putting homes, roads, infrastructure and lives at risk within minutes.
In his opinion on **Integrated Wildfire Risk Management**, Kafantaris stresses that Europe must act across the entire wildfire management cycle: prevention, preparedness, emergency response and recovery. Local and regional authorities must be placed at the centre of this approach, as they understand local risks and are often the first to respond when disaster strikes.
However, citizens also have an essential role to play. “Wildfire safety is not only the job of firefighters. It starts with all of us: preventing risks, being prepared, acting early and protecting each other,” Kafantaris said.
Practical steps that can save lives
Kafantaris calls on citizens to:
* avoid throwing cigarettes on the ground or lighting fires and barbecues in high-risk areas;
* refrain from activities that may generate sparks during heatwaves and periods of extreme fire danger;
* respect local restrictions, warnings and instructions from fire brigades and civil protection authorities;
* immediately report smoke or flames by calling the European emergency number **112**;
* prepare to leave early rather than waiting until the fire is close;
* keep a small emergency bag containing water, medicines, important documents, a telephone charger and basic supplies;
* evacuate immediately when instructed by the authorities, taking only essential belongings;
* assist children, older people, persons with disabilities and pets;
* avoid driving towards a fire or entering areas covered by smoke; and
* return home only after the authorities have confirmed that it is safe.
Even after the flames have passed, serious dangers may remain, including hot ash, damaged roads, unstable trees and fallen power lines.
From emergency response to long-term resilience
Kafantaris’s opinion calls for wildfire management to move beyond a predominantly emergency-based approach and become a long-term resilience policy.
This means investing more in prevention, resilient landscapes, sustainable forest and land management, early-warning systems, preparedness and the capacity of municipalities and regions to act effectively.
It also requires better cooperation between European, national, regional and local authorities, alongside the active participation of citizens and local communities. “This summer, let us stay alert, listen to local authorities and make safety our first reaction. Acting responsibly and acting early can protect our families, our communities and those working on the frontline,” Kafantaris concluded.
The European Committee of the Regions’ opinion on Integrated Wildfire Risk Management is expected to be considered by the NAT Commission in October 2026, before its scheduled final adoption at the CoR plenary session in December 2026.
See his full message here
